Latest news with #NintendoSwitch
CBS News
28 minutes ago
- CBS News
Man accused of stealing $10,000 in video games from Marin County libraries
Authorities in the North Bay have arrested a man suspected in a string of recent thefts at library branches involving video games. According to the Marin County Sheriff's Office, nearly $10,000 worth of Nintendo Switch games were stolen from local libraries. At least seven burglaries took place between April and June. On 06/17/25, Marin County Sheriff's Detectives arrested Jamal Reed-Obafumi, 45, of Oakland, after he was connected to a... Posted by Marin County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, June 19, 2025 On Tuesday, detectives arrested 45-year-old Jamal Reed-Obafumi of Oakland in connection with the thefts. Reed-Obafumi was booked into the Marin County Jail. "Our libraries are pillars of the community and must be safeguarded for everyone to enjoy," the sheriff's office said in a statement Thursday. Reed-Obufami is facing 12 felony charges, including multiple counts of burglary and committing a felony while on bail. Deputies did not say when he would appear in court on the charges.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Do you have a fear of flying? 10 flight attendant-approved tips to deal with flight anxiety
Nervous about your next flight? You're not alone. Whether it's turbulence, takeoff jitters or just the chaos of navigating the airport, flying can be a major source of stress for many travellers. Luckily, if you're someone who finds flying nerve-wracking, there are a number of things you can do to alleviate stress and make your trip as smooth as possible. We spoke to a flight attendant to get her tips on how to stay cool and comfortable in the air. Pam Huynh is a flight attendant with Air Canada, and has nearly a decade of experience in the travel industry. From handling turbulence to practicing calming rituals, keep scrolling to see her tips for stress-free flying. It may seem obvious, but planning ahead can save you tons of stress when travelling. Huynh recommends having a solid plan for getting to the airport and accounting for checking in for your flight, dropping off any luggage and getting through security. She says arriving to the airport three hours before your flight is a great way to alleviate pre-flight jitters. "If you're there three hours before the flight, then you have time to relax, grab a coffee and all that," she says. "It's never a bad idea to get to the airport early." Many might prefer a carry-on bag, but by checking your luggage, you don't have to worry about fighting for overhead bin space. "I think that's a big stressor for a lot of people, trying to get on a plane early to fight for that space," Huynh says. If the thought of checking a bag is stressful for you, consider using an AirTag or another luggage tracker to track your luggage. Huynh notes that some airlines also allow you to track your checked luggage through an app. "Through the app, you can check where your bag is," she says. "It tells you when your bag is being loaded, or when your bag has been unloaded ... I find that gives [travellers] more peace of mind." However, Huynh says you should always keep your must-haves in your carry-on just in case your luggage does go missing. "If you're going to check [a bag] then keep your essentials on you and a spare outfit, as well as your snacks, your entertainment, your water and your passport," she says. Speaking of clothing, you'll want to make sure you're dressed comfortably for your flight. "You want to dress for the conditions. I always say bring a sweater and an extra pair of pants," she advises. "What are you going to do if you get cold?You can't buy a new outfit on the plane." "You don't have to wear sweatpants or a jogging suit — you can still dress nice and be comfortable," she adds. If you're someone who gets cold easily, a wrap or cardigan is handy to have. You can also ask the cabin crew to adjust the temperature in the plane, says Huynh. If you're nervous about flying, keeping yourself distracted during the flight can help. "Bring music or a book, puzzles, your Nintendo Switch, an eye mask if you want to sleep," says Huynh. something," If you're going to rely on the in-flight entertainment, make sure you also pack a pair of headphones — specifically the kind with an audio jack. If you start to feel stressed before or during your flight, mindful breathing techniques can help to calm your nervous system. Deep breathing, for instance, allows the body to exchange more oxygen for carbon dioxide, helping to slow down your heart rate and stabilize your blood pressure. "I personally love the idea of that," says Huynh. "If you can, [I] highly recommend it." She says other ways to de-stress could be do to some movement, or even to practice meditation and mindfulness before your flight. "I've seen people do yoga in the airport and bring their yoga mats with them," she says. Certain medicines and treatments can also help ease in-flight anxiety. Huynh says she loves to carry a pocket pharmacy, like this one from Saje, which contains multiple essential oils meant to calm, revitalize and uplift. "Some people also use Gravol to help with nausea from flight anxiety," she says. She adds that melatonin can also be helpful for travellers heading overseas or to different time zones. "If it's a long flight, they can just sleep and it helps them adjust to the [time change] better," she says. Give yourself some extra peace of mind by choosing your seat in advance. "If you're someone that stresses [about flying], I'd recommend paying to choose your seat early," says Huynh. "Something that stresses out a lot of people is not sitting with their group." For instance, you may want an aisle seat so that you have easy access to get up and stretch your legs or use the bathroom. "Some people prefer getting on the plane quickly and getting off the plane quickly, so those are usually the front to middle seats," adds Huynh. "If you can get on the plane early and get comfortable and organize yourself, that gives you extra time to settle in for your adventure." Where you sit on the plane can even affect how much turbulence you experience. In general, the back of the plane tends to swing more when there's turbulence, so if it amps up your anxiety, you may want to avoid sitting there. But Huynh stresses turbulence "is really never something to worry about." "It's caused by air pockets from other planes flying in different directions," she says "and [areas over] water are usually going to be more turbulent than land." "And of course, if it's a really windy day, you can also probably expect a bit of turbulence," she adds. "Something that will keep you safe and less stressed is having your seat belt on during those times," she adds. It goes without saying that you should follow safety advice of the flight crew when flying, but it can also help alleviate in-flight worries. "The best way to handle emergencies is to be prepared," says Huynh. "So actually paying attention to the safety demonstration from the flight attendants or from the screen, and knowing where the exits are, your alternate exits, knowing what to do if there's going to be a hard landing." She also recommends keeping your seatbelt on when you're in your seat, a practice that can provide added peace of mind when dealing with a turbulent route. "Even if the seatbelt sign is off, because anything could happen," she says. At the end of the day, Huynh says you can take comfort in knowing that no matter what happens, your flight crew has got your back. "Whatever happens, just trust that your crew can handle it and get you out," she says. She notes that the flight crew is trained to deal with a wide variety of situations in the air. "Some people may need help that turns into a medical emergency, and we're qualified to help with that. Some people just need someone to talk to. And some people just need a snack," she says. If you're feeling stressed, she says you can absolutely call a flight attendant over to talk to. "There are so many different solutions, and we're always happy to provide them."
Engadget
7 hours ago
- Engadget
Early Prime Day deals include the 8BitDo Micro gamepad for only $17
Amazon Prime Days begins again on July 8, but early deals are already starting to trickle out. For instance, the 8BitDo Micro gamepad is on sale for just $17. This is a record-low price and represents a discount of 33 percent. However, the deal only applies to the green colorway. The Micro is a Bluetooth controller designed for the Nintendo Switch and Android devices, but it should also integrate with gadgets like the Steam Deck and iPhones. The company has released a firmware update for Switch 2 compatibility, so that should work too. We've tested other 8BitDo controllers with Nintendo's new console and came away impressed. This is a record-low price. $17 at Amazon This is an extremely tiny gamepad that still manages to pack in 16 buttons. It's a near-perfect way to play retro-tinged 2D platformers. Did we mention it's small? This thing will easily fit in a pocket or just about anywhere else. The company wasn't kidding around when they named it Micro. There's one caveat. The diminutive size of the 8BitDo Micro doesn't allow for actual joysticks and there's no haptic engine for rumble or anything like that. This isn't the best controller for brand-new AAA games. If you absolutely must have a pair of joysticks, for FPS titles and the like, the 8BitDo Lite SE is also on sale for $22. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice .
Hamilton Spectator
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Review: ‘Mario Kart World' a solid, safe offering for Switch 2's early adopters
TORONTO - When the hybrid Nintendo Switch console hit the market in 2017, the bold new system had a bold new game to match. 'Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' introduced an open world and non-linear structure to the hit franchise — radical departures from past 'Zelda' games — and the risk was rewarded with critical and commercial success. The Switch 2, released earlier this month, is not the game changer its predecessor was, instead making significant improvements to what already worked with the Switch. And that pragmatism over innovation is reflected in its major launch title, 'Mario Kart World.' The first brand new 'Mario Kart' game in over a decade features some new modes and improvements, but ultimately is a tried-and-true addition to the bestselling franchise. It's not going to dominate game-of-the-year chatter like 'Breath of the Wild' did eight years ago, but it's not hard to see why Nintendo tied the launch of the Switch 2 to the newest instalment of its smash-hit racing series. The previous game in the series, 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,' is by far the bestselling title for the Switch with more than 68 million units sold, and the ability to play online multiplayer lets Nintendo show off the Switch 2's 'GameChat' functionality that lets gamers start a chat session with friends with the push of a button. 'Mario Kart' games have always been ridiculous, chaotic events featuring some of the company's biggest stars, and the latest game doubles down on the pandemonium. With the improved capabilities of the Switch 2, races now feature 24 competitors. That's twice as many as 'Mario Kart 8.' Twenty-two characters make their debut as playable racers, including some deep cuts. Cow, the smiling bovine that has been a staple of 'Mario Kart' games as an obstacle, finally gets the chance to tear up the track. And on a more graphically capable system, 'Mario Kart World' shines. Mario, Luigi and their pals look great, and the 30 tracks on offer pop with charm and colour. The courses, either completely new or reimaginings of classic racetracks from games past, are full of twists, turns and secret routes waiting to be discovered by adventurous racers. A frequent criticism of 'Mario Kart' games, however, is that the playing field can too easily be levelled by potent weapons provided to struggling racers to punish the front-runners. 'Mario Kart World' is no different, with returning power-ups such as the blue shell that homes in on the character in first place before stunning its target on impact. And with more racers now on the grid it is possible for leaders to be hit by several attacks in a row and see their skilful navigation of the track upended. New to 'Mario Kart World' is the excellent 'Knockout Tour' race mode. Rather than run three laps of the same track like a standard 'Mario Kart' race, 'Knockout Tour' events are elimination races that string together stretches from several different courses into a giant endurance race. The stakes are high the moment the starting flag waves, as checkpoints along the way knock out the bottom four players. Less exciting is the free-roam mode that presumably gives 'Mario Kart World' its name. The concept is great; players can drive at their leisure across the Mushroom Kingdom, including all the courses and the open areas that connect them. But some parts of the map feel empty, particularly after competing in a thrilling 'Knockout Tour' race. There are some driving challenges to find along the way, but other than unlocking stickers that can be used to customize vehicles, there is little incentive to complete them. While it is not an unwelcome addition, free roam feels somewhat flat. The mode's existence isn't even readily apparent on the game's menu screen, with the option to select it buried in the bottom-right corner. It might not have been an afterthought, but it does at times feel like one. 'Mario Kart World' comes with an eye-popping price tag of around $110, though that comes down to about $70 when purchased in a bundle with a Switch 2 system. Regardless of the price, 'Mario Kart World' will be a must-have for early adopters of the Switch 2. Part of that is because it's currently the only first-party game developed exclusively for the console. But much like the new system it supports, 'Mario Kart World' takes what already works to new level. 'Mario Kart World' has an ESRB rating of 'E,' meaning it's suitable for gamers of all ages. A digital copy of 'Mario Kart World' was provided for review. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Review: ‘Mario Kart World' a solid, safe offering for Switch 2's early adopters
TORONTO – When the hybrid Nintendo Switch console hit the market in 2017, the bold new system had a bold new game to match. 'Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' introduced an open world and non-linear structure to the hit franchise — radical departures from past 'Zelda' games — and the risk was rewarded with critical and commercial success. The Switch 2, released earlier this month, is not the game changer its predecessor was, instead making significant improvements to what already worked with the Switch. And that pragmatism over innovation is reflected in its major launch title, 'Mario Kart World.' The first brand new 'Mario Kart' game in over a decade features some new modes and improvements, but ultimately is a tried-and-true addition to the bestselling franchise. It's not going to dominate game-of-the-year chatter like 'Breath of the Wild' did eight years ago, but it's not hard to see why Nintendo tied the launch of the Switch 2 to the newest instalment of its smash-hit racing series. The previous game in the series, 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,' is by far the bestselling title for the Switch with more than 68 million units sold, and the ability to play online multiplayer lets Nintendo show off the Switch 2's 'GameChat' functionality that lets gamers start a chat session with friends with the push of a button. 'Mario Kart' games have always been ridiculous, chaotic events featuring some of the company's biggest stars, and the latest game doubles down on the pandemonium. With the improved capabilities of the Switch 2, races now feature 24 competitors. That's twice as many as 'Mario Kart 8.' Twenty-two characters make their debut as playable racers, including some deep cuts. Cow, the smiling bovine that has been a staple of 'Mario Kart' games as an obstacle, finally gets the chance to tear up the track. And on a more graphically capable system, 'Mario Kart World' shines. Mario, Luigi and their pals look great, and the 30 tracks on offer pop with charm and colour. The courses, either completely new or reimaginings of classic racetracks from games past, are full of twists, turns and secret routes waiting to be discovered by adventurous racers. A frequent criticism of 'Mario Kart' games, however, is that the playing field can too easily be levelled by potent weapons provided to struggling racers to punish the front-runners. 'Mario Kart World' is no different, with returning power-ups such as the blue shell that homes in on the character in first place before stunning its target on impact. And with more racers now on the grid it is possible for leaders to be hit by several attacks in a row and see their skilful navigation of the track upended. New to 'Mario Kart World' is the excellent 'Knockout Tour' race mode. Rather than run three laps of the same track like a standard 'Mario Kart' race, 'Knockout Tour' events are elimination races that string together stretches from several different courses into a giant endurance race. The stakes are high the moment the starting flag waves, as checkpoints along the way knock out the bottom four players. Less exciting is the free-roam mode that presumably gives 'Mario Kart World' its name. The concept is great; players can drive at their leisure across the Mushroom Kingdom, including all the courses and the open areas that connect them. But some parts of the map feel empty, particularly after competing in a thrilling 'Knockout Tour' race. There are some driving challenges to find along the way, but other than unlocking stickers that can be used to customize vehicles, there is little incentive to complete them. While it is not an unwelcome addition, free roam feels somewhat flat. The mode's existence isn't even readily apparent on the game's menu screen, with the option to select it buried in the bottom-right corner. It might not have been an afterthought, but it does at times feel like one. 'Mario Kart World' comes with an eye-popping price tag of around $110, though that comes down to about $70 when purchased in a bundle with a Switch 2 system. Regardless of the price, 'Mario Kart World' will be a must-have for early adopters of the Switch 2. Part of that is because it's currently the only first-party game developed exclusively for the console. But much like the new system it supports, 'Mario Kart World' takes what already works to new level. 'Mario Kart World' has an ESRB rating of 'E,' meaning it's suitable for gamers of all ages. A digital copy of 'Mario Kart World' was provided for review. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
